Edwin Cartlidge

1 month ago | optica-opn.org | Edwin Cartlidge

Scientists working at one of the world's leading X-ray lasers have used very high pressures and temperatures to elucidate for the first time the liquid structure of one of the most common elements in the universe—carbon (Nature, doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09035-6). They say that their result could improve the synthesis of novel materials and raise the efficiency of nuclear fusion reactions.

1 month ago | optica-opn.org | Edwin Cartlidge

Researchers in the United States have built a compact source of single photons at telecom wavelengths that might in future be used to make the nodes in a quantum network (Opt. Quantum, doi: 10.1364/OPTICAQ.546774). By generating each photon alongside a visible counterpart, the device allows heralding via fairly compact detectors and could potentially hook up diverse quantum computers over long distances.

1 month ago | optica-opn.org | Edwin Cartlidge

Scientists in the United States have shown how a coronagraph using what is known as spatial mode sorting could be used to image extrasolar planets at quantum limits (Optica, doi: 10.1364/OPTICA.545414). They say that their scheme should make it easier to study very faint exoplanets, including those similar to Earth. Researchers to date have discovered nearly 6,000 planets orbiting stars other than our sun.

2 months ago | optica-opn.org | Yijie Shen |Edwin Cartlidge |Jeff Hecht

Feature Articles Topological Light Waves: Skyrmions Can Fly Harnessing an emerging class of structured waves as counterparts of localized topological quasiparticles could revolutionize information technology. by Yijie Shen Squeezing on a Chip Bulk optics gives us light beyond the quantum limit, but integrated photonics promises an extended reach—from biological imaging to quantum computing.

2 months ago | optica-opn.org | Edwin Cartlidge

Skip To Content Feature Bulk optics gives us light beyond the quantum limit, but integrated photonics promises an extended reach—from biological imaging to quantum computing. The squeezed light source in LIGO’s vacuum chamber. [W.